Zambezi School Project
Trustees’ Annual Report
For the period 29 January 2024 – 31 December 2024
Registered UK Charity No: 1206752
Content
Reference and Administrative Details……………………………………….……………………………3 Structure, Governance and Management………………………………………………………………3 Objectives and Activities………………………………………………………………..………………………3 Public Benefit………………………………………………………………..……………………………………….4 Achievements and Performance…………………………………………………..………………………..4 Financial Review………………………………………………………………..…………………………………..4 Reserves Policy……………………………………………………………..………………………………………..5 Risk Management….……………………………………………………..………………………………………..5 Plans for Future Periods….……..……………………………………..………………………………………..5 Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities….……..………….…..………………………………………..5 Independent Examiner….………………………………………….…..………………………………………..5 Photo Page..………………….………………………………………….…..………………………………………..6
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Reference and Administratve Details
Charity name: Zambezi School Project (ZSP)
Registered charity number: 1206752
Governing document: CIO Constitution
Principal office: Park Farm House, Redenham Park, SP119AQ
School Location: Twabane Luzibo Pre & Primary School, Delevu Village, Sekute Chiefdom
Trustees (served throughout 2024):
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Amelie Osborn-Smith
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Veronika Osborn-Smith
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Charlie Edmonds
Structure, Governance and Management
The Zambezi School Project (ZSP) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its constitution. Trustees provide strategic leadership, while operational management is delegated to locally employed staff in Zambia whilst being overseen by Trustees in the UK. Recruitment of trustees considers relevant skills and experience, both in the UK and Zambia.
Induction for trustees includes training on legal duties, safeguarding, and charity governance.
The charity employs six staff members in Zambia who were all retained throughout 2024. Oversight is
maintained through regular trustee communication with each other and local staff, safeguarding checks and financial oversight.
Objectves and Actvites
ZSP exists to provide free, high-quality education for children aged 2–16 in rural Zambia across pre and primary school. Activities in 2024 focused on delivering early years and primary education, maintaining safeguarding, ensuring the welfare of pupils and introducing a feeding programme to keep the children in school rather than at home and hungry.
In addition to education, key infrastructure was developed to improve learning conditions:
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Construction of a new kitchen to provide meals for children
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Building of an office block to strengthen administration and keep supplies safe
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Building of toilet blocks for staff and students to improve sanitation and dignity
Staff training continued in safeguarding, child protection, first aid and teacher training to ensure safe practice and high level learning for our students.
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Public Beneft
The trustees confirm they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
ZSP provides clear public benefit by:
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Offering education where access is otherwise limited/non-existent
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Improving literacy and numeracy outcomes to help break the cycle of poverty
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Enhancing life skills through health and community involvement
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Ensuring equality of access regardless of background
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Improving health and nutrition with health checks and school feeding programmes
Achievements and Performance
Educational Growth
The school expanded from 83 pupils at the start of 2024 to 98 by the end of the year, demonstrating both community trust and demand. Families have moved from farther afield into the area in order to enable their children to attend the school.
Staffing
All six staff members were retained, providing stability and continuity in teaching. Teachers also undertook professional development, including English teaching training, phonics workshops and mathematics training.
Infrastructure
The new kitchen and sanitation facilities have improved health, attendance, and concentration in class. The office block provides a professional base for staff as well as a secure base to store school supplies.
Community Involvement
Parents played an active role by drawing water for school use and supporting sports and extracurricular activities. This strengthens community ownership of the project and encourages harmonious co-existence.
Sports
All of our children have been active in our sports teams. Football and netball have become part of the school timetable to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
Case Study - Jessie
Jessie (aged 11) began learning in baby class in January of 2024 unable to read or write. Through dedicated teaching and improved resources, she passed all her state exams by year end and progressed through to grade 2, demonstrating the transformational impact of ZSP’s work.
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Financial Review
Income for the year totalled £13,913, all from individual donors. Expenditure was £6,255, primarily covering staff salaries and general operations. The resulting surplus increased reserves to £7,658 (all unrestricted).
Trustees are satisfied that the charity is in a sound financial position, with reserves maintained to provide stability and protect against future uncertainties. The focus next year will be on sponsorship programmes as well as building a new classroom block.
Reserves Policy
ZSP’s policy is to hold reserves equivalent to 12 months of operating costs to ensure continuity in case of income fluctuations or emergencies. At year end, reserves stood at £7,658, which aligns with this target. Trustees collectively decide when reserves may be drawn upon. The reserves policy is reviewed annually.
Risk Management
Trustees have adopted a low tolerance to risk and in 2024 formalised a risk register. Risks identified include financial shortfalls, safeguarding incidents, reputational issues, and external factors such as political or environmental instability in Zambia.
Mitigation measures include strict safeguarding policies, financial oversight, annual risk reviews, and immediate escalation of any emerging risks to the full board.
Plans for Future Periods
In 2025, ZSP will focus on building a new classroom block to accommodate more pupils and increase enrolment beyond 100. Staff development and training will continue, with trustees aiming to secure additional donor support to sustain operations.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilites
The trustees are responsible for ensuring that the charity complies with the law, uses its resources exclusively to further its objectives, and safeguards its assets. Trustees must prepare accounts that present a true and fair view of the charity’s financial position in line with SORP.
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
Signed: Amelie Osborn-Smith ----- Date: 19/09/2025
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Independent Examiner
ZSP’s income remains below the threshold requiring an independent examiner or auditor. The trustees have therefore not appointed one for 2024.
Photo Placeholder
This page is reserved for photographs of school facilities, pupils, and community activities.
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THE ZAMBEZI SCHOOL PROJECT
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1206752
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
31 DECEMBER 2024
Contents
Page
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1 Charity information
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2 Report of the accountants
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3 Receipts and payments accounts
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4 Statement of assets & liabilities
FLETCHER & PARTNERS
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS SALISBURY
THE ZAMBEZI SCHOOL PROJECT
CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION
| Charity created date | 29 January 2024 |
|---|---|
| Registered Charity Number | 1206752 |
| Trustees | Miss A B M Osborn-Smith |
| Ms V A M H C Freiin Von Pfetten-Arnbach | |
| Mr C Edmonds | |
| Charitable Objects | For the public benefit, to advance the education |
| of the pupils at Zambezi School near Livingstone, | |
| Zambia by providing and assisting in the provision | |
| of facilities for education at the school. | |
| Principal address | Park Farm House, Redenham Park, Hampshire, SP11 9AQ |
Page 1
THE ZAMBEZI SCHOOL PROJECT
REPORT OF THE ACCOUNTANTS ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS TO THE TRUSTEES
As described on page 3, you have approved the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024, set out on pages 3 to 4. In accordance with your instructions we have compiled these unaudited accounts from the accounting records and information and explanations supplied to us.
FLETCHER & PARTNERS Chartered Accountants Salisbury
Page 2
THE ZAMBEZI SCHOOL PROJECT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FROM 29 JANUARY 2024 to 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Receipts Donations Total receipts Payments Teachers' wages Teachers' national health insurance Teachers' pension Teachers' gifts Transport Building costs School supplies Website costs Bank charges Sundry expenses Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Cash funds last period end Cash funds at end of this period |
2024 £ 3,309 27 269 181 605 973 448 80 48 209 |
2024 £ 20,088 |
|---|---|---|
| 20,088 6,149 |
||
| 13,939 - |
||
| 13,939 |
Page 3
THE ZAMBEZI SCHOOL PROJECT STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
2024
£
Cash funds
Bank accounts 13,939
Total Cash funds 13,939
Assets retained for the charity's own use
Liabilities
Creditors -
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----- End of picture text -----
We approve these accounts and confirm that we have made available all relevant records and information for their preparation.
| A B M Osborn-Smith | 12 October 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Signed | ................................................................ | Date | ....................................... |
| Miss A B M Osborn-Smith | |||
| Trustee | |||
| V A M H C Freiin Von Pfetten-Arnbach | 12 October 2025 | ||
| Signed | ................................................................ | Date | ....................................... |
| Ms V A M H C Freiin Von Pfetten-Arnbach | |||
| Trustee | |||
| C Edmonds | 12 October 2025 | ||
| Signed | ................................................................ | Date | ....................................... |
| Mr C Edmonds | |||
| Trustee |
Page 4